Star Haynes

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS AND A VERY HAPPY ENDING (July 2015)

Star has been in foster with Catherine and Peter for several months as he has been an extremely poorly boy. On one occasion we didn’t even know if he would make it back out of the vets where he had to be suddenly rushed but, clearly, Star has a very strong fighting spirit. Obviously, the tons of love and TLC that he received also ensured that he would keep going from strength to strength. His latest pics show just how much he has improved.

We all knew the inevitable was bound to happen and, happily, it did. Their household just wouldn’t have been the same without the gorgeous Star so, we are delighted to report, he will be staying with Catherine and Peter forever.

EARLY HISTORY

Star is a 6 year old dark gold coloured male Golden Retriever who is now neutered. He was rescued from a high kill Pound in Romania in 2015.

At first, we believed Star may be the culprit who had more than a paw in all the surprise puppies but, in the end, we found it was all down to naughty Brucie.

PERSONALITY

This lovely boy is very timid.

SOCIAL LEARNING

Children: He is supposed to be very good with all kinds of people but we will know more about his suitability for children once he is in foster.

Dogs: He is supposed to be very good with new dogs which will be confirmed once he goes to his foster home.

Cats: Untested with cats

Star went into foster in Stratford on Avon

UPDATE 7 .3. 2015

Catherine, his fosterer, tells us Star had a glowing report from the kennels. He travelled well and went straight in to explore mode when he got into her house.

He has a wonderful personality, is very gentle and appears happy, not like his sad photo at all. Sadly, he is painfully thin, has a bad skin condition and some nasty pussy cuts around his mouth which will need treating so he will be off to the vet on Monday. He has had a gentle groom and is about to be bathed.

POOR STAR’S STORY

From the first photos we saw of him, Star looked like the unhappiest, saddest boy ever – which wasn’t really so much of a surprise, considering the appalling pasts some of our foster dogs had endured. But, when we collected Star, we were amazed to find a very gentle, seemingly content and laid back boy who came with a string of commendations for his awesome behaviour.

Star had been treated for heart worm and was painfully thin, he had a skin condition, hematomas in both ears and was stating with cataracts. He settled well with us and gradually gained weight but he had no stamina and could only walk for a few minutes at a time. It was both a pleasure and privilege to care for Star and, although he settled quickly with us, we did not see the improvement in his health that we expected.

We took Star to our wonderful vet, who gave him a thorough check-up, and came away with medication for his skin condition and ears. Many visits to the vets followed as Star continued to be unwell and, at one point, was so ill that he was hospitalised; we were warned he may not survive. But there was the happiest of outcomes, Star did survive and, after all we’d been through, he wasn’t going anywhere – we adopted him!

Of course there is an adoption donation, but that nowhere near covers the cost of rescuing a dog. We support IRR’s fundraising activities and have contributed to his rehabilitation by funding a course of hydrotherapy ourselves. We know that Star’s vet bills have been enormous and it was such a huge relief that all the treatment was paid by IRR and that, any pre-existing conditions that need attention in the future, will also be covered.